Week 3: My heart leaps up! 
Welcome to the Main Thread for the third week of "The Romantic Era" challenge!
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- Watch the kickoff livestream! (<- click)
Favorite romantic composer?
↓ Happy Sharing! ↓
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Mendelsohnn Op. 19.6 Barcarole Update 2
This is much better, I feel, from the previous recording. I think the Tengyue masterclass had a big impact. I have 3 versions to choose from and each has a specific problem, but I feel this one was the best, in spite of the obvious glitch. I now have to get the Chopin ready for tomorrow's concert.
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Jack Stewart Amazing, Jack! It's sounding great! Bravo!
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Chopin Mazurka Op. 24.1 Back in the Saddle Again
OK. I have to redeem myself after my disappointing (consistently so) performance at the Community Concert. So I got back on my horse. I wanted to record right away because I actually have this pretty well under control. There is still some refinement to be made and some of the interpretation to smooth out but, overall, I am pretty happy with this take.
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Jack Stewart Hey Jack. Sorry I missed the performance. The video says it’s private so I can’t watch it.
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Eric Phillips Oops. I forgot about that. I think it is corrected now(?). Thanks for the heads up.
You didn't miss my performance, but the other performances were really good.
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Jack Stewart I also didn't watch the concert live, so thank you for uploading the performance here. I found that those "pianistic" slurs were hard to execute on guitars, those are what I am struggling with right now, but you play them very well.
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Wai Thanks Wai. Actually this is the performance I wish I had at the concert. My performance was pretty bad so I recorded this immediately after.
The 'pianistic slurs are difficult for me also, especially in the 'C' section. It took me a while to figure out how to do them (I watched Jerzy Koenig on YT).
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Jack Stewart If it was easy, everyone would play it...so, Jack its really advanced! I wish, I could play so well, its a joy to listen and to watch................
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Stefanie Mosburger-Dalz Thanks Stefanie
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Jack Stewart Excellent! That was really nicely done and loved your phrasing.
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Dale Needles Thanks Dale. I just wish I could have had that performance during the concert. Maybe one day.
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Jack Stewart I'll disagree with you, Jack. Your performance at the concerto was not bad, you had only a lack of memory in some part, but nothing that compromise the performance. A secret: I'm a bit "Romantaphobe" too...
but with this challenge, I'm changing... Bravo, ragazzo! -
Jack Stewart Nicely done Jack! I think this is your best take of this piece to date. It's not easy with these Chopin textures to bring out the voices in right balance on guitar, but you are doing an excellent job; and very cleanly executed slurs and Mordents. Bravo!! I listen to Arthur Rubenstein often for his Chopin interpretations.
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Second attempt at posting Albeniz: Capricho Catalan, transcription by Michael Lorimer.
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Marilyn Blodget Wow! Marilyn, both versions were wonderful. I am partial to the guitar version, it is more intimate which works well in this piece. But then I think Albeniz was actually a guitarist at heart, so much of his music works so well on guitar. Very impressive playing - of both instruments but especially the guitar.
Are you a member of both sides of Tonebase?
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Marilyn Blodget Wow, that was brilliant! This was my first time hearing both piano and guitar versions (played by the same player) side by side. Thank you for the sharing, it was interesting to listen to a piece this way, and both versions were played beautifully.
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Marilyn Blodget how touching! great playing!!!
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Jack Stewart Thanks Jack! I agree that the guitar sounds more intimate. I love the D tuning and lower pitch of the beginning. I am a member of both Tonebase piano and guitar. I need more hours in my day!
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Wai I thought it would be an interesting project. I thought I would take the performer out of the equation. However, I find the instruments really define my experience performing them. Thanks for your support!
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Stefanie Mosburger-Dalz Thank you Stephanie!
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Marilyn Blodget Hi Marilyn, wonderful to hear you play this and on piano as well! Love the tone of your guitar. Best, Rick
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Marilyn Blodget Well, you are certainly doing very well with the hours you have!
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Albeniz Capricho Catalan--original piano. I thought it would be fun to do both versions. I like them both--very different experiences. Yes, guitar takes more work!
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Marilyn Blodget bravo!
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Marilyn Blodget These were both so great, Marilyn! I'm so glad you're joining in. Like Jack, I prefer the guitar version, but I am very biased.
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Marilyn Blodget It was wonderful to hear you play this so beautifully on piano in it's original form. As a virtuoso pianist himself, Albeniz has gifted us with these brilliant works. Thank you so much for sharing both your well played guitar interpretation as well as piano; yes, very fun to listen side by side. Bravo!!
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
